“Ru, wake up.”
Maki’s soft, low voice was the first thing Kaoru heard as his eyes struggled to open. She sat on the floor beside his mat, gently running her fingers through his hair. It was oily and unwashed, even Kaoru found it gross, but Maki didn’t care. She loved everything about him, and these quiet monts, when he still felt like her baby brother, were rare and precious.
“Maki...? What are you doing here?” Kaoru yawned, blinking. “I wanted to sleep more…”
He tried to pull the blanket over his head, but Maki effortlessly pinned both of his arms with a single hand.
“Hey! You promised not to use your gorilla strength against ,” Kaoru groaned, laughing as he squird pointlessly, shaking off the dizziness.
“I told you,” she smirked, “no matter how strong you get… I’ll always be stronger. Rember?”
She pinched his cheek so hard it turned red.
“Ow! Maki!” he started to protest, but her expression shifted, becoming serious.
“I’m leaving the camp with i and Shin,” she said flatly. “We’re going to et the Mizukage.”
Kaoru blinked the rest of the sleep from his eyes.
“I need you to et the rcenaries. They’re arriving today, and if I’m not back in ti, I’d prefer you to take the lead. Ao will be there to support you.”
The first golden beam of sunlight slipped into the tent, lighting Maki’s face. She smiled softly, still playing with his ssy hair. It wasn’t just the sunlight making her glow, it was the comfort of knowing Kaoru was there, soone she could trust completely. Soone she could rely on.
“But why… why ?” Kaoru asked, rubbing the cheek she’d assaulted. He was fully awake now, thanks to the sting. “There are a lot of people here better suited for that.”
“Because you’re the head of the Taki Clan,” Maki said, raising an eyebrow. “The strongest clan in Takimura. With and i gone, who else should et them?”
She raised her hand threateningly again.
Kaoru didn’t wait, he slipped away, dodging her brutal attack.
“Alright, alright! I’ll et them, just stop torturing ,” he laughed, moving over to the large box where ceremonial clothes that the elders had made him carry around were.
He began digging through it, searching for the Taki robes he was expected to wear for official matters.
“When I take over the clan,” Kaoru muttered, tossing folded garnts left and right, “I’m abolishing this stupid tradition. These robes are so uncomfortable…”
“Stop complaining,” Maki snorted. “Other people would kill to have a closet full of shiny, luxurious outfits.”
She understood him, though. She’d endured the sa treatnt when she was heir. Maki had always preferred cropped tops, loose jackets, and shinobi pants - clothes that let her move, breathe, fight. Back then, she’d been forced into heavy robes and makeup by the clan elders too. But now that she was no longer the heir, she wore what she wanted.
But today was different.
Her dark ceremonial Taki robe, embroidered with flowing cyan lines and ornants, was a quiet tribute to Suiren and to all the friends they’d lost.
“Alright, Ru. Now that you’re finally awake, I’m off,” she said, standing. Her mouth curved down as she teased, “And by the way, wash your hair. It’s like touching grease.”
She laughed as she moved toward the tent flap. Just as she was about to leave, she paused, turning back with a playful smirk dancing on her lips.
“So? How’d it go with Mizuki? Are you girlfriend and boyfriend now? Did you… hold hands?” Her laughter picked up as she saw Kaoru’s eye twitch.
“Yes,” Kaoru said confidently, puffing out his chest. “We are. I told her I loved her, and she told she loves too.”
The smile froze on Maki’s face.
“Oh, and that’s not all,” he added casually. “I was going to announce it when we all gathered later, but… I proposed.”
“You what?!” Maki’s voice shot up.
“What?” Kaoru said with innocent confusion. “I’m the head of the clan, and I have no children. Isn’t it my duty to ensure the future of our lineage? What happens if I die?”
“You’re not serious…” she whispered, stunned. “Wait… you’re not joking? You’re really… engaged?”
She stamred. Her hands twitched like she didn’t know whether to hug him or strangle him. What had started as playful teasing had spiraled into sothing far more alarming… and a little overwhelming. For a second, she looked genuinely distressed.
That’s when Kaoru couldn’t hold it anymore.
He burst into laughter, full-bodied and shaless.
“Co on, how could you believe twelve-year-old kids would actually get engaged?” he said, gasping between laughs.
Maki blinked, then rolled her eyes.
“Well, honestly, I was more surprised Mizuki would agree to sothing that dumb. But you?” She shook her head in disappointnt, like Kaoru really was the dumbest person in Takimura.
“Hey!”
“Alright, let’s stop here,” Maki said quickly, laughing as she reached over to ruffle his hair. Then, without missing a beat, she wiped her hand on his clothes with exaggerated disgust. “Eugh. You really do need to wash it.”
Kaoru groaned in protest, but Maki just smiled and leaned down to kiss his forehead.
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“I’d love to keep playing gas with you,” she said, smiling, “but unlike you, I’ve got my whole day planned down to the last second.”
With that, she stepped out of the tent, letting the flap fall behind her.
The silence that followed was almost jarring. Without Maki, the space felt oddly empty, still and dull.
Kaoru stood there for a mont, smiling faintly.
Then he turned back toward the massive box of clothes, the smile slipping from his face as he dove back in, resuming his search for the dreaded robe.
“Kakuzu was defeated by Maki Taki in the Land of Water,” Zetsu reported in a flat and unpleasant voice, addressing Nagato, Obito, and Konan.
Nagato wasn’t present in his true form, but spoke through Yahiko’s body - his primary vessel, his symbol. No one reacted outwardly to the news. They didn’t particularly care about Kakuzu as a person, but the implication was enough to stir interest.
Defeating soone as experienced and ruthless as Kakuzu ant one thing: Maki Taki was stronger than they had expected.
“Nagato, did you injure him?” Obito asked. His tone was calm but weirdly domineering.
It was Pain who had recruited Kakuzu. After the initial negotiations failed, Nagato showed Kakuzu the gap between their strengths.
“No,” Nagato replied calmly, settling deeper into his chair. “I only destroyed one of his elentals. Wind, I believe.”
He crossed Yahiko’s arms across his chest, the long cloak shifting slightly. Yahiko’s body wasn’t just a vessel. It was the last living image of the friend Nagato and Konan had lost, and the face the world still associated with Akatsuki. For them, it had a symbolic aning, it was a way to keep their dear friend’s mory and dream alive. Yahiko still remained the main pillar of the organization he had created, even if his body was now controlled by Nagato.
“If he wasn’t too weakened…” Obito’s masked face tilted slightly. “Then this Maki really is that strong. But more importantly, what was Kakuzu doing there in the first place?” Obito asked, his face remaining as expressionless as the mask covering it.
“I never gave him an order,” Zetsu replied. “He said he was going on a bounty hunt with his new partner.” Zetsu’s lips twisted into a grin. “Which, by the way, is dead.”
Obito’s lone eye narrowed slightly. ‘I’m glad I didn’t give him the ring,’ he thought. Kakuzu’s partner’s death didn’t bother him, but the failure did. ‘This is a bad start for Akatsuki. We need stronger recruits.’ He needed to recruit stronger mbers and slowly cultivate their loyalty and dedication toward the ultimate goal. Otherwise, his main purpose, the only reason he kept living, would be left unfulfilled.
“We need more mbers,” Obito said in a low but commanding voice, causing Konan to shrug uncomfortably.
“I approached that jonin from Kiri. He refused.”
“Did you kill him?” Zetsu asked with a sneer, his jagged mouth stretching wide with amusent.
“No,” Konan replied quickly. “I gave him ti.”
She paused, continuing with her voice softening.
“When I found him, he was too… broken.”
That made Pain’s head tilt slightly.
‘She didn’t ntion this to ,’ Nagato thought, surprised. For sothing to leave such a strong impression on Konan, and for her not to share it with him, was rare.
“I have another candidate,” Zetsu said, smirking again. “A rogue shinobi who betrayed his village. He is difficult to control and dangerous. He’ll be useful.”
“I’ll go,” Pain said imdiately, but Konan cut in.
“No. You should et the other one. I’ll handle this one myself.”
She crossed her legs, glancing toward Obito as if testing his reaction, but, as always, his sole eye remained completely devoid of emotions.
Kaoru was already dressed in his formal Taki robes and headed toward the main camp when he spotted Akane leaning against a tree, whittling a stick.
Beside her, around twenty thin, neatly carved skewers were laid out in an orderly row, while even more unshaped branches were scattered in a small pile nearby.
“Akane, what are you doing?” Kaoru asked, approaching her.
“The cooks are burning through these like crazy. They’re using tons to grill at,” she replied without pausing in her work. The small knife in her hand moved smoothly, stripping away the bark and leaving behind a clean, pale cream-colored surface.
Kaoru felt a pang of guilt.
He hadn’t spent much ti with Akane lately, there had simply been too much to do. Still, every ti he’d tried, she kept her distance, closing herself off. And Kaoru had learned not to push.
“Co with ,” he said gently. “I have to et the rcenary group arriving today, and I could use your presence.”
Akane paused for the first ti, lifting her gaze toward him.
“What do you need my presence for?” she asked, curiosity flashing in her crimson eyes.
“I just don’t want to suffer alone,” Kaoru chuckled, reaching out to take her hand and pulling lightly.
Akane’s lips curled into a small smile.
“Alright. But let’s drop these off with the cooks first.”
‘She’s smiling,’ Kaoru noted with quiet relief. ‘I loved Sugeru too… but she’s carrying more than anyone should. Sothing must’ve happened between them that she hasn’t told .’
He waited as Akane carefully gathered the finished skewers, cradling them in both arms. Her faint smile lingered as she turned to him.
“Let’s go,” she said.
Kaoru would’ve gladly helped her carry them, but his ceremonial robe was pristine and if he got it dirty, Orihi would definitely scold him for disrespecting proper etiquette. So instead, he followed beside her, hands tucked behind his back.
On their way to the kitchens, they passed Mizuki, who was heading out for her guard rotation. Her expression lit up the mont she saw Kaoru, and she offered him a subtle smile. The connection between them had grown obvious lately, even if it hadn’t been spoken aloud. Still, a small smile was all she gave, and all Kaoru needed.
“You and Mizuki finally got together?” Akane asked as they passed her, her tone casual but her eyes had a hint of curiosity and… maybe even mischief. The dullness that usually clouded her gaze lifted for a mont.
“No! Why would you ask that? We’re just friends,” Kaoru said a little too quickly, his cheeks flushing.
Akane raised an eyebrow, smiling, but said nothing.
“Oh, there it is,” Kaoru said quickly, relieved as they reached the communal kitchen. It was essentially a wide, open tent filled with pots, supplies, and the ever-present scent of cooking at.
Akane quickly handed the bundle of sticks to the camp cook and imdiately followed Kaoru toward the main camp. Kaoru let the silence linger, curious to see if she would speak. Normally a chatterbox, Akane now walked beside him wordlessly.
“Did i tell you about the mission?” Kaoru finally asked, glancing at her. “We’ll be going on a voyage. We’re going to sink Kumo’s ships.”
He stared at her, looking for her reaction.
“Yes,” she replied quietly. Then, with a frown, added, “And stop staring at like that. It makes feel weird.”
“Sorry,” said Kaoru, gently nudging her shoulder.
After a few more steps, Akane suddenly stopped.
“Kaoru… do you regret anything?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Do you ever feel like… if you had done sothing differently, the people you love might have survived?”
Kaoru paused, then answered gently.
“Of course I do. It’s impossible to live as a shinobi without regrets. And it’s impossible not to make mistakes. If we were perfect, there wouldn’t be wars.”
In truth, Kaoru didn’t carry many regrets. He truly believed he had done everything he could. But that wasn’t the answer Akane needed right now, so he gave her the one she could lean on.
“I can’t shake the feeling,” Akane whispered, her eyes fixed on the ground. “If I hadn’t held back… if I had used my full strength from the start… Sugeru might still be alive.”
There it was, the weight she’d been carrying.
She wasn’t looking for answers. She was pleading. Hoping Kaoru would tell her it wasn’t her fault.
And he wanted to say she was wrong. That nothing she did would have changed the outco. But he couldn’t say that, not truthfully.
So instead, he said what he believed she needed to hear most.
“Akane, you’re looking at it wrong.”
He turned to face her fully.
“It was Sugeru’s decision to be there. His choice to fight by your side. And when it mattered most, he chose to protect you with everything he had.”
Kaoru’s voice was calm but firm.
“We have to respect that. You carry his mory, not his burden. You’re alive because he made that choice, and you owe it to him to keep living.”
He was half-quoting lines he rembered from the ani. But they felt true now more than ever. And more importantly, they were words he ant.
He was about to say more when Orihi appeared, marching toward them with sharp, purposeful steps.
“Lord Kaoru,” she snapped, “you’re late. The rcenaries have already arrived. Go. Imdiately.”
Her tone didn’t match the respectful title she used. Kaoru and Akane exchanged a glance, both understanding this mont had to end, for now.
Then, they nodded and flickered.
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